Meet Oliver and Frank - rare Mono Di (Monochorionic diamniotic) twins. The occurrence of MCDA twins is so rare it only occurs in every three to four out of 1,000 live births and can cause many complications.
Their journey began when mom, Harmony, was 12 weeks pregnant - confirming the boys were sharing the same placenta, known as Twin Transfusion Syndrome (TTS). After traveling out of state briefly for care, at 19 weeks, the decision was made to bring Harmony back to Ascension St. Vincent Evansville (then St. Mary's) because of our high-quality NICU and capability to handle complex cases.
After four weeks of home bed rest, Harmony was admitted. Her room was put in the front of the building so she had a view of Washington Avenue, knowing she would be there until the boys were born. With the staff easing her mind and allowing for no surprises, Harmony and her husband toured the surgery suite and met the NICU caregivers prior to her c-section at 26 weeks. At delivery, the babies each had three doctors for six total present during the surgery.
Oliver weighed in at 1.12 oz and 10 inches long, and Frank was 1.10 oz and 10 inches long. The twins were in the NICU for three months and overcame some developmental delays. Today, after overcoming many challenges, the brothers are now happy and healthy third graders!
Harmony states, “I could not imagine what my pregnancy and delivery would have been like without the caring doctors and nurses at what is now Ascension St. Vincent Hospital for Women and Children. I was in great hands and felt totally at ease with the extension of the support network that I was given. The boys have had miraculous improvements and are charming, funny, and amazing little guys.”